Share

Nature‑friendly farming: working with wildlife

Hay making. Photo by Stephen Thompson.

Nature-friendly farming is all about working with the land, not against it. It supports wildlife, healthy soils, and thriving rural communities. With over half of our region shaped by farmland, the way we manage these landscapes has a huge impact on the birds, insects, and mammals that call them home.

What is nature-friendly farming? 

Did you know that over 50% of our region is farmland? From upland estates to coastal cropland.

Centuries of agricultural activity has created semi-natural habitats, such as hedgerows, hay meadows, and ponds, that now provide essential food, shelter, and breeding sites for a wide array of animals, birds, and insects. 

Farms managed with nature in mind play a crucial role in reversing the decline of wildlife. 

A tranquil rural landscape with tall grasses and reeds in the foreground, stretching across a wetland area. Beyond lies a patchwork of green fields bordered by hedgerows and dotted with mature trees under a clear blue sky. A small house sits to the left, partly hidden by vegetation, adding a touch of human presence to the peaceful countryside scene.

Reedbed wetland with pasture. Photo: Stephen Thompson

Wildlife wins 

Wildlife can bounce back on nature-friendly farms! Managed agricultural landscapes can be critical to the survival of many wildlife species. Such as tree sparrow, corn bunting and brown hare. 

Small positive changes to land management can make a big difference  

When nature-friendly farming is taking place, people could look forward to spotting more species across our patch:

  • Curlews in County Durham
  • Skylarks in Sunderland
  • Shrews in South Tyneside
  • Gray partridge in Gateshead
  • Dragonflies in Darlington 

From farm to fork 

Food choices matter. Nature needs farmers and nature-friendly farmers need your support. Where your able to, prioritise, local and seasonal products.  

Community growing groups and schemes like Open Farm Sunday can be a great opportunity to find out more about local farms and food systems. 

A collage showing scenes from Gibside Community Farm. In the top-left, a group of people stand in a grassy field listening to a guide wearing a high-visibility vest, with a dog on a lead among them. The top-right image shows green farmland with stacked tyres and planters under a cloudy sky. The bottom image reveals the inside of a polytunnel filled with tables, chairs, crates, and gardening supplies, with rows of plants growing along the sides. A sign reading “Gibside Community Farm” appears in the lower-le

Gibside Community Farm

Practical actions 

How farmers help wildlife thrive: 

  1. Managing existing habitats such as hay meadows, woodland and ponds
  2. Maintaining wildlife rich field boundaries like hedgerows and stone walls
  3. Restoring and managing ponds and wetlands
  4. Planting wildflower strips and introduce more flowering species into grasslands
  5. Providing seed rich habitat such as winter bird food crops 
Three Highland cattle grazing in a grassy field—one large black adult and two smaller light brown calves—surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Highland cows at Low Barns Nature Reserve. Photo by Stephen Thompson.

Our impact 

Durham Wildlife Trust is actively working with more than 100 farmers and land managers across Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland.   

From creating new ponds to Biodiversity Net Gain, we offer free, independent, support to farmers and land managers across the region. 

A wide countryside view with a field of wildflowers in the foreground, dominated by clusters of purple blooms and a few bright red poppies. The land stretches into golden farmland and green hedgerows under a partly cloudy sky, with distant pylons and scattered farm buildings visible on the horizon. The scene feels peaceful and expansive, showcasing the beauty of rural England in late summer.

Farming wildflower crop. Photo: Stephen Thompson

Related blog posts